How to Help LA: More than prayers, please.
Food and Shelter, Medicine and Mental Health Support, Courage and Love.
I came across this quote from
among my saved photos today. It was shared by Senator Cory Booker several years ago. Sometimes I believe the universe conspires to show us the things we need to see when we need to see them.
Today, I am thinking about everyone impacted by the LA Fires. I’m looking at the devastation that has consumed my social feeds, impacting so many people I know and love, and countless people they know and love. The scale of devastation is nearly unfathomable.
I am thinking about all the people who are doing good for those in need, without first thinking about how expensive a victim’s neighborhood might be or wondering who they might have voted for.
I am thinking about the firefighters and other first responders who risk their lives every day, not just today; and the off-duty and retired crews who have jumped in. I am thinking about the mutual aid support from fire departments across California counties, and those in at least five other states who have left their own homes, families, and lives to come help.
I am thinking about President Jimmy Carter, who said "I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose that something … my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.”
I am thinking about a world with more courage, more love.
So let’s help, in whatever ways we are able.
•••••
How to Help
If you believe in thoughts, prayers, white light, and speaking positivity into existence, by all means, do that. But don’t stop there. If donating $5 (or more) is not a hardship for you, please do.
(Last updated Jan 10)
To my LA area readers, please ask for whatever assistance you need.
The Red Cross has online tools to help find shelters or get in touch with loved ones. Airbnb.org is providing free emergency housing, and Planet Fitness will allow you to use their showers, locker rooms, access WiFi and more.
You can seek free, non-emergency telemedicine support from Teladoc.
Mutual Aid LA has a google sheet with available shelter and animal center information. They are updating frequently. (Their Instagram feed is also very helpful.)
Free Uber and Lyft rides are available to evacuees.
A good list of shelters accepting pets here, on USA Today
Cal OES offers valuable health info, and you can reach out to the SAMSHA Disaster Distress Hotline if you need mental health support, referrals, or counseling of any kind. There’s a full list of other resources available to you from the LA County Department of Mental Health.
CalFire provides important tips for returning home after a fire.
Continue getting trusted, ongoing updates at fire.ca.gov.
To anyone else in a position to help, here are some organizations doing extraordinary good on the ground right now.
World Central Kitchen - On the ground providing sandwiches and waters to first responders and impacted residents. Working to set up stations to provide hot meals where they are most needed.
American Red Cross / LA Region - Providing emergency aid, shelter, blood donations and more. (When Jamie Lee Curtis recommends them, I am all in.)
California Fire Foundation - Provides $250 gift cards to survivors from firefighters on scene, for immediate needs and essentials; provides support to firefighters and their families
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation - This nonprofit provides vital equipment and funds critical programs to the LAFD. Essential funds right now will go toward emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks, and brush tools.
Baby2Baby - An invaluable resource for families They have already provided over one million emergency supplies for the most vulnerable children — diapers, food, formula, water, clothing, blankets and hygiene products.
Good+ Foundation - I was a longtime ambassador for this nonprofit founded by Jessica Seinfeld. They do impactful work getting diapers, baby, gear, supplies, and resources to families in need year-round. Their Crisis and Relief Fund is currently working with LA agencies on the ground to provide essential supplies.
GoFundMe / Verified Fundraisers - Includes support for the LAFD, individual families and businesses, nonprofits like animal rescues, hot meals for firefighters, as well as support for specific neighborhoods through group fundraisers like the Newport Run Club.
Mutual Aid LA - is doing urgent work with hyper-local agencies and organizations. You can never go wrong donating through mutual aid funds.
LA Dream Center - An evacuation center providing shelter, food, clothing, toiletries
LA Regional Food Bank - Providing food assistance year-round, and currently working to provide emergency support in the area through The National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and Feeding America.
DirectRelief.org - Rapid mobilization for disaster relief including medical aid, emergency funding, solar power, and essential equipment for first responders.
CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) - The LA-based global relief org is on the ground to distribute masks, go-kits, hygiene kits, and more.
GlobalGiving - Their CA Wildlife Relief Fund is helping first responders meet survivors' immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter. As needs emerge, they will support longer-term recovery efforts by providing food, water and shelter through local, vetted nonprofits.
Americares - Has offered assistance to more than 70 partners and is prepared to address urgent health needs and help restore health services and mental health services for survivors.
Airbnb.org (their community nonprofit arm) - Provides free emergency housing for survivors and first responders, many who have come in from other cities and states.
Pasadena Humane, LA County Animal Care, LA Animal Services - Can all use donations to support pets and the wildlife that’s been impacted.
Please share with anyone looking for support, or ways to lend support. Feel free to leave other trusted organizations in comments that will need our help.
I’d also encourage folks to look into corporate matching programs if they do donate. I just contributed to the LA FD foundation and my company will match my donation 100%.
thanks for putting this together! i'm mostly off IG at the moment and was looking for tangible ways to help. (i saw a link that rebecca woolf posted for LAFD meals, but i was unable to checkout, so this comes at the right time.)